E - International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants

TGP/14/1: Section 2: Botanical Terms
Subsection 2: Shapes and Structures: II. STRUCTURE
page 45
II.
STRUCTURE
1. Developing Characteristics For Plant Structures
1.1 Growth habit
In general, the characteristic “Plant (or Tree): growth habit“ is used to describe the overall
growth habit of the plant, based on the deportment of the main branches or stems. The
characteristic “Plant (or Tree): growth habit” is usually a quantitative characteristic. Whilst
growth habit can be considered in terms of a pseudo-qualitative characteristic, it can be useful
to develop quantitative or qualitative characteristics related to growth habit, rather than
considering growth habit as a single pseudo-qualitative characteristic. In cases where
qualitative characteristics exist, those are often presented in the form of “Plant (or Tree):
type“, rather than growth habit.
Example 1: “Plant: growth type“ determinate (note 1); indeterminate (note 2)
Example 2: “Plant: type“ climbing (note 1); non-climbing (note 2)
Examples of “Plant (or Tree): growth habit” are provided below:
Example 1: quantitative characteristic
1 2 3 4 5
upright upright to spreading drooping weeping
spreading
Example 2: quantitative characteristic
erect
semi-erect
intermediate
semi-prostrate
prostrate